Arizona weekly citizen., 1887-10-29
GRInnIInO.


 The action os the Grand uEy at Tue SGD, ArizIns, m finding sn indictment for murder agamst Geronimo, the fs- nous Apache wHrgIor, who IS now lan- gushing in q tropical prison, Eas quite ably reviewed. by the San Francisco Ex- sminer the other day, and justly and wisely condemned. There is no douos but that the civil authorities have abso- lute and legal jurisdiction over all persons within the limits of the state or territory, whether they be white, black or copper-colored; but when an lnsuT- rectiOn against the lawful civil author i.y assumes such proportions that the civil authority is G1able tO cope with or control is, and the military arm If the Federal Government IS brought into use, then the condition becomes ore of in- testine war. Thus it has been with the Indians ID this country for over one hundred years. Indiana, however. are not only not citizens, but they are de- priyed of the privileges of cItlzershlp by the Federal Constitution. Their status is peculiar; for, being regarded ss wards of the nation, they occupy dis tinctiye position different from that ot any citizen or other subject. The Fed e.8l Government has always with Indians as separate ngtiols-h6s, indeed, enact cd separate laws for their government, has appointed eOmmissiOne and agents for them, and whenever they have re- sorted to the violence of Indian wars, has srrayed sgsinat them the military power, fighting them ss nation or tribe, killing any or all of their people, acd destroying their property. This has been the history of all Indian tribes from the foundation of the governuent down to the present time, and Gt the close of the Indian wars She mEisfsctorY. or bel iigerent element, being subIugeted, have always been subject to the absolute cis- position of the Federal Government. ln A very few instances executions of indl- v!dual Indians have followed Indian wars; for example. after the MiDDesOta massacre thirty Sioux Indians were exc euted; but even that had no effect upon the other, for a few years later the whole fighting force Uf the Sioux nation was agaIn 'on the wGrpath- The execution of tae Mo1ccs for violation of the sanctity oi the flag If truce did not deter their ueighbors from going OD the wsr path, nor cid the execution of Apache Indians ! at Fort Grant. Arizona, have any effect upon the,- tribe that ever afterwards re- sumed hostilities.
 Now, with respect 70 the indictment
 of Geronimo, by the grand jury at Tue sou, last week, questions Of serious i'm | portance will arise. In March, 1886, ! while what vas known ss GeronimO's | bGnd-NRtohez, however. being the her | idItary chief-were on the wsr path, terms were made with those Indians, which, however, were disspprOved st l Washington. Gud by order Cf the Pres ident. the Department C1mmander was directed again 10 oyeE negotiations with ! them on the basis Of uncoDditoral'sur- render. 'CDly spsriug sGe'r livs R." IT, -ised ot carrying out these InstTuC | tiOEs the Commander General asked tO be relieved from the cCMnaEi. and wl- 1 releivec, and the presen1 C0r-HsEd- T Gs- signed Co the Department in hrs place. That vas the state of affairs when the operations against the APaches were re- Sumed ID April, 1886, sId E1 modihca- ;iOn wes ever made Q. thOse instruc tioEs. DuTirg the campaign the h. l diaus were offered terms by the Mex ican suthoritits, but they would DO! trust ide Mrxicans; end ficallv, vh,u hafsssed hsmmed n and worn down { by the trO0re, the Indisns, with Chiefs ! surrendered to the American troops, l | asking only the one mercy, that their 1 hvss be spared. They surrendered UI,E l the expectation that their prayer would | be granted. On the principle that shat WAT like Al Indian WAYS, ERs conducted against the Apsches es Q hostile tribe, the Indians were hanished as body to the remote southeast corner of the United states; ! and that such was the understanding Oi | the GoveTnut nt si Washington, snd It's | purpose 0 do SO, is shown in the unmis- | takable language of the acting Secretary | of War ID a letter vhica was published l 10 a Seulse Executive Document ss fol- l lows:
 WsR DEPARTI IExT,
 WASHINGTON CITY, Aug, 24, 1886. ! | To tEe Lieuteuaat General Of the Army:
 SIR-S.sing that FOIt Marion, FiG, appeered Co be agreed upon ss the plsce at winch Co hold iAo Apsches, On their capture, OS surrender as prisoners Of waE, and having no data here Of which Co judge of i;s capacity, etc, 1 sent the following telegram to she commanding officer sa Saint Augustine, Fla.
 "What number of Italians, uIer, vcI1- en and children COZ, ia addition co the number nOv co 6Giut Augustine be 6e- eomuoJstei there? Should it be deter mIDet tO increase the number by fOuc CT five hundred, what preparation would be necessary, ard what probable expeBdi- tuse required?'
 h reply I received She following:
 Can accommodate seventy five men, women and children, I1 addition tO those l now heie. For; Marion IS a small place; slj must live ID tents. Have tentsge by taking battery tents. Need no psrtic- slsr preparation, but vii have to eXpend SxuU for GGLl-irral tcut Moor, privies, ant !avst0ries. Would reccoumend no more GLdisas be sent here. More in de- tal.n
 Var,- rasDpctflIlv